5 Weekend Hikes That’s Perfect For Monsoon Season in Nepal

Monsoon season in Nepal starts around mid-June, peaking in July and August, and winding down in early September.

You’ve booked your trip of a lifetime to Nepal and you’re looking for short, weekend hikes but you’ve booked it during the monsoon season. Does this mean trekking and hiking to beautiful places is off the cards?

Heck no!

The monsoon season brings rain, humidity and an increase in temperatures across most of Nepal so it’s a great time to escape the city of Kathmandu for the nearby hills. We have five of the best weekend hikes outside of Kathmandu that’s perfect for visiting during the monsoon season:

Kakani

Viewpoint in Kakani. Source: Lonely Planet

Sitting on the fringe of Shivapuri National Park, this weekend hike is a perfect hilltop getaway during monsoon. The roads to this little north-western town will be muddy, but the views are worth a couple of hours drive to get there. If you’re up for a monsoon hike, walking from Gurje Banyjang would be a suitable way to earn the famous trout dishes and juicy strawberries that await you in Kakani.

There’s so much more to this small town than fish and berries though, and a little exploration is all it takes to find out. If you’re looking for some adventure here, you will find canyoning and hikes everywhere, but relaxation and soaking up the magnificent views is the main reason for staying here.

Markhu

Indrasarowar Lake

Don’t want to go all the way to Pokhara, but you still want to enjoy some time by a lake? Markhu is the answer, and it only takes two hours by bike or car to get there!

It’s well worth the journey, and there are treats such as kafal along the way that you MUST try! The stunning Indrasarowar lake greets you once you arrive in Markhu. You can sit in a nearby cafe or restaurant and try out the local cuisine, local yak cheese, and fish from the lake.

Spend the weekend here hiking, biking and floating around the lake in all its splendor. If you want to continue your journey from here, you have the option to head to Chitlang which is another 45 minutes’ drive.

Chhaimale

Chhaimale Resort

Looking over the entire valley from the south, Chhaimale is a great getaway that you can get to in under two hours from Kathmandu. With short hikes through local villages and forest tracks, the south-western village only has one resort for visitors to stay.

Because of the regular flow of weekenders, it’s best to book ahead of your trip. Chhaimale Resort can be expensive, but it’s up to travelers to decide what level of luxury they wish to experience. If you’re on a budget, there is a town called Lele, not far from Chhaimale which hosts cheaper options.

Balthali

Balathali. Source: Lonely Planet

The road during the monsoon, from Kathmandu to Balthali, is treacherous and muddy. You may have to walk the trail, which is well worth the time. After a short and scenic hike, you’ll reach the quaint village of Balthali.

Balthali is the perfect place to escape the chaos of Kathmandu and indulge in pure mountain relaxation. Its serenity is only ever interrupted by the insects and birds singing in the nearby forests. While it is a relaxation destination, itchy feet can find solace in a walk to Ladkheshwor Mahadev Temple in the valley below.

Bhotechaur

Bhotechaur Tea Garden. Source: Deepak Shakya

It has everything Nagarkot and Dhulikhel have, but with better views, activities, and relaxation.

While it’s not the season for mountain views or sunrise trekking, it’s a wonderfully natural area that offers views of places that seem thousands of miles away. Sitting just 40km from the Capital, the beauty and serenity on offer are largely thanks to Everest Tea Estate. It’s not open to visitors at the moment, but the lands around the estate are a beauty to behold. Time is not really a concept here, and it’s easy to fall into the slower pace of life, which should be welcomed with open arms after spending a few days in the city.